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Artichoke salad with coriander and caper dressing

People can often be a bit snobby about tinned vegetables, and there are certainly some which suffer terribly for texture (carrots and mushrooms, I’m thinking of you!), and some which take on a rather peculiar flavour… (potatoes and peas, you can’t deny it…).

But artichokes on the other hand, survive the process well, keeping their delicate flavour, and a decent texture. I actually prefer them to the type in oil, I think they’re easier to pair with other flavours.

Artichokes make a great addition to a work lunch salad, they make the whole thing feel fancier! I’ve gone for gluten free cous cous as the base (I much prefer the asda version to the tesco one), and a dressing with salty capers, bright lemon zest and fresh coriander that’s pleasingly full of flavour, but doesn’t overpower the other ingredients.

Mid salad prep, such lovely bright colours!

makes two large servings

for the dressing

2 tbsp chopped coriander

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 tbsp tamari

zest of half a lemon

1 tsp capers, chopped

for the vegetables

150 g broccoli, cut into bitesize florets

1/2 a large red pepper, chopped

5 cm piece of cucumber, chopped

1 tin artichoke hearts (240 g drained weight), drained and sliced

30 g salted almonds

for the cous cous

100 g gluten free cous cous

125 ml light vegetable stock, hot (or amount according to the packet)

First get the cous cous soaking. Use the hot stock and check the timings on the packet. I don’t think it needs any oil if you are mixing so many lovely things into it, but you could add a little if you like.

While the cous cous is soaking, cook the broccoli. I steamed mine in the microwave for 2 and a half minutes.

Cool the cous cous and broccoli.

To make the dressing mix all the ingredients together.

Toss the vegetables with the cous cous, and drizzle the dressing over the top.

Ooo… I’ve not seen tinned artichokes (I guess I only buy tomatoes and chick peas/beans in tins). I think I’ll add them to my list! That’s the second recipe you’ve posted with capers… Best I get some of them too then I can make something else of yours! 🙂

They do get quite interesting things in from time to time, they can be very good, and cheap, for fruit and veg too. We’re busy struggling our way back from Manchester at the moment, goodness it’s busy on the train!

We got treat food in the main! Vegusto vegan cheese, and some Indian snacks made with gram flour rather than wheat flour, proper blue corn tortillas, gluten free cake… And … Ellie got an awful drink that said it was peach but tastes of coconut sweat!